This Pasta Salad with Pesto-Yogurt Sauce offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, from al dente Orichetti pasta to the creamy, rich sauce. It's an all-in-one dish that's perfect as a main course or a hearty side, making it a versatile option for various occasions.
Servings 5
Prep Time 20 minutesmins
Cook Time 10 minutesmins
Total Time 30 minutesmins
Equipment
Large pot for boiling pasta
Skillet for toasting pine nuts
Blender for sauce
Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
300g(10.5 oz) Orichetti pasta
150g(5.3 oz) Vegan Fetacrumbled
150g(5.3 oz) Olives, pitted and halved
60g(2.1 oz) Rocket (arugula)
75g(2.6 oz) Dry (sun-dried) tomatoeschopped
150g(5.3 oz) finely chopped onion
35g(1.2 oz) toasted Pine nuts
120ml(4 fl oz) Pesto sauce
100g(3.5 oz) silken or soft Tofu
120ml (4 fl oz) Plant-based Yogurt
Instructions
Prep and Boil: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Orichetti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Toast the Pine Nuts: While the pasta is boiling, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden. Set aside.
Drain and Cool Pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and let it cool to room temperature.
Prep the Veggies: In the meantime, chop the onion, halve the olives, and chop the dry tomatoes. Crumble the feta cheese if it’s not pre-crumbled.
Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the pesto sauce, tofu, and yogurt. Blend until smooth.
Assemble and Mix: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled feta, chopped onion, halved olives, chopped dry tomatoes, and rocket (arugula). Stir in the blended sauce and toasted pine nuts until all ingredients are well-coated.
Chill Time: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve: After chilling, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the sauce and serve.
Notes
If making ahead of time, keep the sauce and the pasta mixture separate and combine just before serving to keep the pasta from getting too soft.
And there you have it—a pasta salad that's not just a sidekick, but a main event in its own right. Give it a shot; you won't be disappointed.
Nutrition
Calories: 475kcal
Calories: 475kcal
Cost: $12
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: Healthy Fusion Cuisine, Pesto Pasta Salad, Quick and Easy Side Dishes, Tofu-Yogurt Sauce